Panagbenga 2013 officially starts

THE Baguio Flower Festival locally known as Panagbenga 2013 officially started Friday, February 1.

The festival, joined by Mayor Mauricio Domogan, Representative Bernardo Vergara, city department heads and officials of the City Council, started with a grand parade from Panagbenga Park down to Athletic Bowl, according to organizers.

Ten elementary schools competed in the drum and lyre dance contest. The 2012 winner, Baguio Central School, was among the participants.

After the parade, Vergara and Domogan welcomed visitors, participants and officials for the celebration.

Vergara urged the public to participate in beautifying the city for the development of the tourism industry.

“This is your Panagbenga, our Panagbenga, together, let us make this festival memorable,” Domogan said.

Meanwhile, Vergara warned visitors and residents against pickpocket gangs frequenting the city during this time.

Later, organizers conducted the unveiling of the festival’s tarpaulin followed by the singing of the National Anthem led by the Philippines Military Academy band.

It was followed by the highlight of the opening ceremony, which is the drum and lyre competition. The criteria for judging are categorized into three: street parade; field presentation; and instrumentation.

On the street parade, choreography that includes dance movements and formations is worth 10 points; execution has five points; 10 points for the instrumentation; and the creative use of props and costumes has five points.

The champion will receive P130,000 while the first runner up gets P110,000 and the second runner up has P90,000.

The festival will last until the first week of March. Among the highlights are: grand float parade on February 24; grand street parade (Feb. 23); and the session road in bloom (Feb. 25 to March 3).